Unitary package identification and dimensioning system employing ladar-based scanning methods

Abstract

A fully automated package identification and measuring system ( 300 ), in which an onmidirectional holographic scanning tunnel ( 100 ) is used to read bar codes on packages entering the tunnel, while a package dimensioning subsystem ( 500, 600 ) is used to capture information about the package prior to entry into the tunnel. Mathematical models are created on a real-time basis for the geometry of the package and the position of the laser scanning beam used to read the bar code symbol thereon. The mathematical models are analyzed to determine if collected and queued package identificaton data is spatially and/or temporally correlated with package measurement data using vector-based ray-tracing methods, homogeneous transformations, and object-oriented decision logic so as to enable simultaneous tracking of multiple packages being transported through the scanning tunnel.

1. An automated unitary-type package identification and dimensioning system supported above a conveyor belt structure, said automated unitary-type package identification and measuring system comprising:
 a single system housing supported above said conveyor belt structure;  
 a package identification subsystem, disposed within said single system housing, for reading bar codes on packages transported along said conveyor belt structures and producing package identification data that identifies each said package, and wherein said package identification subsystem includes a 1D imaging-based camera for capturing 1D images of said packages transported past said system housing; and  
 a package dimensioning subsystem, disposed within said single system housing, for capturing package dimension information about the dimensions of each said package as each said package is transported past said system housing, and for associating with said package dimension data with package identification data produced by said package identification subsystem.  
 
     
     
       2. The automated unitary-type package identification and dimensioning system of  claim 1 , wherein said package dimensioning subsystem comprises
 (i) a Laser Detecting And Ranging (LADAR-based) scanning method for capturing two-dimensional range data maps of the space above said conveyor structure, along which said packages are transported, and  
 (ii) a two-dimensional image contour tracing method for extracting package dimension data from said two-dimensional range data maps.  
 
     
     
       3. The automated unitary-type package identification and dimensioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the velocity of each said package is computed by using a pair of amplitude modulated laser beams projected from said package dimensioning subsystem at different angular projections over slid conveyor belt structure along which said packages are transported. 
     
     
       4. The automated unitary-type package identification and measuring system of  claim 3 , wherein the amplitude modulated laser beams have multiple wavelengths to sense packages having a wide range of reflectivity characteristics.